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    Evidence-based information about eczema causes, triggers, and management

    Can Eczema Be Prevented in Babies?

    One of the most common questions new parents ask is whether eczema can be prevented. The honest answer, based on the most recent research, is that daily moisturising from birth is *not* a reliable way to prevent eczema — even though it remains essential for looking after baby skin.

    What the latest evidence says (updated 2025)

    Early small studies were encouraging, so three large trials set out to test the idea properly.

    BEEP (UK, 1,394 high-risk babies). Daily emollient from birth to age 1 did not reduce eczema at age 2 — 23% of moisturised babies developed eczema versus 25% of those given routine skincare.[1] The babies in the emollient group also had more skin infections, and a possible increase in food allergy. When the same children were followed up at age 5, there was still no protective effect against eczema, food allergy, asthma, or hay fever.[2]

    PreventADALL (Scandinavia, general population). Bath oil additives plus a facial emollient from 2 weeks of age did not reduce eczema by 12 months.[3]

    CASCADE (US, 2025, 1,247 families). This newer trial is the one exception. Daily full-body moisturising started before 9 weeks of age produced a modest reduction in eczema by 24 months — 36.1% versus 43.0%. The benefit was larger in babies who were *not* at high risk of eczema, and no increase in skin problems was seen.[4]

    Where that leaves us. In its 2025 clinical report, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that while moisturisers are the mainstay of care once eczema is present, the recent data suggest emollients may not have a role in preventing the condition in the first place.[5] A Cochrane review reached a similar verdict: the early promising signal has not been consistently confirmed.[6] There is currently no recommendation to start moisturiser in every baby specifically to prevent eczema.

    So if your baby develops eczema despite careful daily skincare, that is not a failure on your part. Genetics and immune factors play a much bigger role than anything a moisturiser can undo.

    Why gentle skincare still matters. Baby skin is about five times thinner than adult skin, which makes it more fragile, more prone to dryness, and more easily irritated. Moisturising is proven to help *manage* eczema — reducing flares and the amount of steroid cream needed — even if it cannot reliably prevent it.[5] These simple habits keep your baby's skin healthy, hydrated, and more comfortable, and they mean you already have a routine in place if eczema does appear.

    Baby skincare guidelines

    Bathing — keep it gentle. Newborns only need a bath 2–3 times a week, gradually increasing frequency as they grow. Keep baths short, around 10 minutes, in lukewarm water (not hot), and rinse thoroughly. Use a soap-free, fragrance-free top-to-toe cleanser.

    Moisturise consistently and generously. Apply a fragrance-free moisturiser to the whole body immediately after bathing — within minutes, while the skin is still slightly damp — and at least twice a day. For daytime use, lighter creams are generally fine. At night, or in drier and colder environments, thicker creams or ointments are more effective at locking in moisture and protecting the skin barrier. Avoid products with fragrances or strong preservatives.

    How much moisturiser? More than you might think. Babies typically need at least 125g of moisturiser per week — under-moisturising is one of the most common reasons eczema is difficult to control.[7]

    Additional skincare step. If your baby has a doctor's prescription for eczema, apply medication to affected areas as directed before or after moisturising. For babies with normal skin, a gentle massage with baby oil can help keep skin supple and makes for a lovely bonding routine.

    Keep baby's bottom happy. Change dirty nappies promptly to prevent nappy rash. Use fragrance-free wipes, and if a rash develops, apply a zinc oxide nappy cream.

    Dress in soft, breathable fabrics. Choose loose-fitting clothes made of cotton, bamboo, Tencel lyocell, or silk. Cut out scratchy labels, and remember that bedsheets should be soft and breathable too.

    While we cannot guarantee eczema prevention, these steps give every baby the best start for healthy skin. And if eczema does develop, having good skincare habits already in place makes it much easier to manage. With patience, gentle care, and support, most babies grow up with healthier skin and greater comfort.

    References

    1. [1] Chalmers JR, Haines RH, Bradshaw LE, et al. Daily emollient during infancy for prevention of eczema: the BEEP randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2020;395(10228):962–972. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)32984-8/fulltext
    2. [2] Bradshaw LE, Wyatt LA, Brown SJ, et al. Emollients for prevention of atopic dermatitis: 5-year findings from the BEEP randomized trial. Allergy. 2023;78(4):995–1006.
    3. [3] Skjerven HO, Rehbinder EM, Vettukattil R, et al. Skin emollient and early complementary feeding to prevent infant atopic dermatitis (PreventADALL). Lancet. 2020;395(10228):951–961. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)32983-6/abstract
    4. [4] Simpson EL, Michaels LC, Ramsey K, et al. Emollients to prevent pediatric eczema: the CASCADE randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2210
    5. [5] Schoch JJ, Anderson KR, Jones AE, Tollefson MM; Section on Dermatology. Atopic dermatitis: update on skin-directed management — clinical report. Pediatrics. 2025;155(6):e2025071812. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-071812
    6. [6] Kelleher MM, Phillips R, Brown SJ, et al. Skin care interventions in infants for preventing eczema and food allergy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;11:CD013534.
    7. [7] Agency for Care Effectiveness. Mild and moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) — a journey from flare to care. ACE Clinical Guideline, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 2026. https://go.gov.sg/acg-ad

    Choosing the right moisturiser for a baby is often one of the first practical challenges. The Oumi Kids Calm & Hydrate Cream was developed for babies and young children with sensitive, eczema-prone skin — fragrance-free, gentle enough for twice-daily use, and formulated with the skin barrier in mind. Find out more at oumikids.com.

    Disclosure: Oumi Kids is made by Oumi Labs Pte Ltd, the company behind Eczema Checker. It is assessed against the same National Eczema Association criteria as every other product in this tool, and you can check it yourself here.

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